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Bush: I was reminded that evil exists

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A sense of legacy is in the air on eve of Bush presidential library's opening

Bush talks about milestones of his presidency, relationships with his staff

George W. Bush is a proud new grandfather and fascinated by his unlikely new hobby: painting.

But some things haven't changed a bit: the trademark smirk when he is amused, a squinty glare when he doesn't appreciate the question -- and a quick turn to humor when the conversation turns to "legacy," including the scars of Iraq or the cloud of Katrina.

"History will ultimately judge the decisions that were made for Iraq and I'm just not going to be around to see the final verdict," the two-term president told CNN in a wide-ranging interview.

"In other words, I'll be dead."

On Thursday, every living president will be on hand for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. One, of course, will be his father, George Herbert Walker Bush; the other three, Democrats -- Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

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Time lapse of Bush library construction

The 43rd president said he has learned lessons from his predecessors about how to make a mark after leaving the White House.

"You learn that life doesn't end after you're president," Bush said. "In other words, you're going a hundred miles an hour and, and, in my case, we woke up in Crawford and now it's going zero. And so the challenge is how to live life to its fullest.

"In my case, I've chosen to do so outside the limelight. On the other hand, I am confident that when this chapter of our life is finished, that we'll both be able to say that we've advanced the cause of peace and freedom and -- and the human -- and helped improve the human condition."

In July, Bush visited Zambia and Botswana to promote a health initiative that focuses on cervical and breast cancer prevention and treatment. He also helped create the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which focuses on long-term economic reconstruction projects that create jobs and promote economic opportunity.

Laura Bush said her husband rarely itches to add his voice to the daily political debate. The former president said he knows the library dedication will re-stir the debate about his presidency, and he conceded the library is in part an effort by him and supporters to influence history's verdict.

But he predicted visitors would find it "more objective" than they might have imagined and he showed little interest in revisiting flash points like Iraq, Hurricane Katrina or the 2008 financial crisis. Or the scorn with which many look back at the Bush presidency.

"You know, I'm really not that concerned about why people did what during my presidency." Bush said. "I'm more concerned about being an effective person for the rest of my life.

"I know this, that Laura and I gave the presidency eight years of our life. We gave it our all. Made the best judgment calls I could. I didn't compromise my principles. And I'm a content man. And I am excited about what we're going to do here."

The library path is a quick reminder of how everything changed on a crisp September morning. One early exhibit is filled with children's books -- education reform was to be a major first term priority.

Then, the dress Laura Bush wore to a state dinner on September 6, 2001, for then-Mexican President Vicente Fox. Candidate Bush had promised a humble foreign policy, with a heavy focus on the Western Hemisphere.

George W. Bush's life, legacy – A young George W. Bush with, from left, his mother, Barbara Bush; father, George H.W. Bush; and grandparents, Dorothy and Prescott Bush, in Midland, Texas, on March 7, 1949.

George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush with his father George H.W. Bush and mother Barbara Bush in Rye, New York, during the summer of 1955.

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Photos: George W. Bush's life, legacy23 photos

George W. Bush's life, legacy – George H.W. Bush with his four sons, from left, Neil, Jeb, George W. and Marvin in 1970

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush sits in the cockpit of an F-102 fighter. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard from 1968 to 1973.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush stands next to his fighter jet while serving in the Texas Air National Guard.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush campaigns for Congress with his wife Laura in 1978.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush holds his twin daughters Barbara and Jenna in Dallas in November 1981.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – Then-President George H.W. Bush with sons George W. and Jeb, right, boating off Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1989.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush pose with their family for their 2000 Christmas portrait.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush campaigns during an all-day swing through Florida two days before Election Day in 2000.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – Bush is informed by then-White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card of the September 11, 2001, attacks while visiting a school in Sarasota, Florida.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush speaks to rescue workers, firefighters and police officers at the rubble of ground zero three days after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush tells the nation on March 19, 2003, that U.S. forces had struck "targets of opportunity" in Iraq to begin the Iraq War.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush announces on May 1, 2003, that "major combat operations" had ended in Iraq. He made the announcement aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which he had landed on in a Navy jet.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush drives his pickup truck at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, in August 2002.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush surveys Hurricane Katrina damage through the window of Air Force One as it flies over New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 31, 2005.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush shakes hands with then-Sen. Joe Biden after signing the United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act in July 2008.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki tries to block shoes thrown by an Iraqi man at George W. Bush during a joint news conference in Baghdad in December 2008.

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George W. Bush's life, legacy – George W. Bush looks out over Washington as his helicopter departs for Andrews Air Force Base after the inauguration ceremonies for President Barack Obama in January 2009.

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Photos: George W. Bush Center 28 photos

Photos: George W. Bush Center28 photos

The George W. Bush Presidential Center – First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush and former President George W. Bush attend the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Dallas. Republicans and Democrats alike and world leaders were in attendance during the official dedication of the facility.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Former President George W. Bush holds back tears as he finishes his speech.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Former president George W. Bush, center, speaks to the crowd at the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, flanked, left to right, by first lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – George W. Bush gestures a "W" to the crowd after speaking.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – George W. Bush hugs his wife Laura after speaking.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Left to right: Former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter listen during the opening ceremony.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush laugh during former President Bill Clinton's speech.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – President Obama speaks with former first lady Barbara Bush during the ceremony.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Left to right: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Vice President Dick Cheney, Jenna Bush Hager, her husband Henry Hager, Barbara Bush, Miky Febrega, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush sing the national anthem at the ceremony.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – President Barack Obama and former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter arrive on stage for the George W. Bush Presidential Center dedication ceremony.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Boots commemorate George W. Bush's tenure as general managing partner of the Texas Rangers.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete presented this lion, here presented at the library, to George W. Bush during his trip to Africa in 2008.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – A pistol captured with Saddam Hussein on December, 13, 2003, is displayed at the Center.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – This display relates to the Bush administration's faith-based and community initiative.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – A security guard stands in front of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, on Tuesday, April 16.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Steel beams from the World Trade Center are displayed in the September 11 portion of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Wednesday, April 24.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Patricia Flynn shows off the interactive table of conflicts in the Middle East.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, arrive to speak to media during a tour of the center.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – A photographer makes a photo of the two bronze statues of former Presidents George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, in a courtyard at the Center.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – Members of the media shoot video inside a recreated White House Oval Office during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – President George W. Bush's baseball collection is on display in the center.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – The entrance to the museum as seen on April 24, the day before its dedication.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – President Bush's and first lady Laura Bush's jackets for Air Force One are on display.

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The George W. Bush Presidential Center – The center features an exhibit on educational policy.

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On the trail with George W. Bush 19 photos

On the trail with George W. Bush19 photos

On the trail with George W. Bush – The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, Texas.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – With the opening of the Library, CNN Political Producer Mike Roselli, who covered that 2000 campaign, dug into his political archives for some Bush memorabilia.

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On the trail with George W. Bush19 photos

On the trail with George W. Bush – On June 12, 1999, Governor Bush flew from Austin to Iowa -- of course. Not that there was any question as to why he was there -- but it wasn't spelled out in the advance copy of the speech.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – A press credential, luggage tag and schedule from that first trip. As the campaign went on there were more credentials -- a lot more.

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On the trail with George W. Bush19 photos

On the trail with George W. Bush – In "Decision Points," Bush wrote about the first flight, "I had christened our plane Great Expectations. Shortly after we lifted off, I grabbed the microphone and announced, 'This is your candidate. Please stow your expectations securely in the overhead bins, as they may shift during the trip and may fall and hurt someone -- especially me.' To drive the point home, soft Nerf-like stars were handed out.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – Bush a longtime baseball fan -- the first "Little Leaguer" to win the White House -- and one time part owner of the Texas Rangers - had his own campaign baseball cards.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – The baseball theme ran through the campaign -- including a "scorecard" from that first swing. He wasn't sent back to the minors -- but Bush didn't have a perfect game either. Sen. John McCain (R) Arizona beat him decisively 49% to 30% in the New Hampshire primary.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – An exhibit at the new Bush Library is a wall of baseballs. He attended nine major league games as president. As candidate, Bush took in one -- opening day at the Houston Astros' brand new stadium -- Enron Field. Now Minute Maid Park -- renamed after the Enron scandal.

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On the trail with George W. Bush19 photos

On the trail with George W. Bush – More sports - golf anyone? Somewhere along the campaign trail -- golf towels appeared.

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On the trail with George W. Bush19 photos

On the trail with George W. Bush – Since 1960 and JFK, presidential candidates have crisscrossed the country in their own campaign planes... painted with logos, slogans and the American flag -- the Bush campaign was no exception -- it even made a metal die-cast version.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – But why stop with just "branding" the outside of the plane. It came complete with headrest covers.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – With any campaign there are posters -- this rare one barely made it out of the campaign headquarters on North Congress St. in Austin.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – There were banners.

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On the trail with George W. Bush19 photos

On the trail with George W. Bush – And mugs and computer disks.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – Books and bumper stickers.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – Conventions and debates.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – Lots of buttons.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – And buttons that didn't get the candidate's name just right. Dad is George H.W. Bush -- son is George W. Bush.

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On the trail with George W. Bush – All ending -- or in this case -- not ending on Election Night. Many "traveling press" took up residence in Austin for the recount - being there so long - Christmas Party Invites were sent out.

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One step past images of that festive dinner takes you into the horror and carnage of September 11, including a twisted beam from the second tower of the World Trade Center and the bullhorn the president used during his now iconic visit to the rubble at ground zero a few days after the attacks.

Given his heavy focus on terrorism as president, we began the conversation with his thoughts when he heard the news of the explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line.

"I was reminded that evil exists," Bush said. "And that there are people in the world who are willing to kill innocent people to advance a cause."

The Decision Points Theater is a centerpiece of the library tour. Visitors can relive big Bush administration policy debates, and read and listen to some of the advice given to the president at the time. Then they can pick a course of action.

Never known as one to second-guess himself, the former president conceded problems in administering the Iraq war but was adamant he believed history would embrace the decision to go to war.

Asked if he is now convinced he launched the war with too small a U.S. military force, Bush said, "There are some -- you know, tactics that need to be revisited. On the other hand, the removal of Saddam Hussein was the right decision. America is more secure. The Iraqi people have a chance to live in a free society."

He said he will take no offense if museum visitors come to a different conclusion.

"The museum is a -- it does give people the opportunity to hear the different points of view that I got on these particular issues," he said. "The purpose of which is not to try to defend the policy. The purpose of which is to try to show people what it's like to be the president. And how you make decisions."

Another exhibit includes former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice explaining enhanced interrogation tactics used against some suspected al Qaeda terrorists taken into U.S. custody.

Veterans of Bush administration policy battles might wonder why former Vice President Dick Cheney does not have that role in the library, given his strong support for the tougher interrogations, including waterboarding in a few cases.

Cheney is attending the ceremonies, and while he has written and talked openly about differences with his former boss late in their White House years, President Bush brushed aside any talk of bad blood.

"No, it was never strained," Bush said. "I think that's the mythology that we've escaped. In other words, there's a mythology in Washington."

Reminded of Cheney's recollections in his book, especially over the president's refusal to pardon longtime Cheney aide and friend Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the former president added this to the talk of tensions:

"Not really. They were on Scooter Libby. Yeah, he didn't agree with that decision. But I don't -- you know -- people ought to look at the total picture. And we're friends then and friends now."

By the numbers: The Bush family

Other highlights of the interview:

On his debate just before Katrina hit about whether to overrule Louisiana's governor and send in federal troops:

CNN: People were telling you, "Mr. President, maybe you need to declare an insurrection."

George Bush: Insurrection. Which would have been pretty difficult. Not pretty di -- very difficult. Yeah, so I -- it just points out the dilemma. ...

CNN: Do you wish in hindsight you had done it?

George Bush: No, not really. I'm -- you know, I get -- there's no telling how history would have recorded the situation had I declared an insurrection. I can tell you the decibel level would have risen even louder than it was.

Hopefully people will go to the Decision Points Theater and say, "Wow, I didn't understand that." Or, "I now understand it better."

On whether he feels personal redemption now that many Republican leaders are pushing immigration policies that mirror his failed proposals:

George Bush: No, I don't. I don't really view it as redemption, I view it as smart.

And logical. And I was real proud of my little brother being out there, you know -- pushing the issue. Because he understands the issue well. Eventually these problems will get solved. And a president just has to understand that not every issue gets solved during his presidency. But he can contribute to the ultimate solution.

On whether that brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, should seek the 2016 GOP nomination:

George Bush: Well, big Jeb, you know, he's got a decision to make. And if I could make it for him, it'd be, "run," but I can't. And I don't know what he's going to do. He'd be a great candidate and a great president.

On plans for a third trip to Africa this summer:

George Bush: I think it's important to set priorities in life. I always said that one of the principles that was important to me was human life. We went to Africa and saw people dying, needlessly dying. And there's nothing more important, I think, and Laura thinks as well, to help somebody live.

And so during my presidency I convinced Congress to spend taxpayers' money to save lives not only from HIV but as well from malaria. And it worked. And we want to continue that type of work with cervical cancer.

Finally, on his post-presidential hobby of painting:

Laura Bush: Who would have thunk it? George was looking for a pastime, actually, when he gave up smoking cigars. So he read Churchill's book, "Painting As a Pastime" and he's actually very good. He's a very good painter.

George Bush:I relax. I see colors differently. I am, I guess, tapping a part of the brain that, you know, certainly never used when I was a teenager. And I get the satisfaction out of completing a project. And I paint people's pets. And I love to give them their pet as a gift.

And I readily concede the signature is more valuable than the painting.